By Abbas Nazil
Ethiopian startup, Dodai, is revolutionizing urban transportation with its pioneering electric vehicle solutions, addressing the dual challenges of urban congestion and environmental sustainability.
The company, established in 2021 by founder and CEO Yuma Sasaki, focuses on designing and manufacturing electric motorcycles, three-wheelers, and bicycles tailored to the Ethiopian market.
Dodai stands out as Ethiopia’s only provider of lithium battery-powered motorbikes, delivering unmatched performance and durability.
These electric motorbikes last eight times longer than competing models, reducing maintenance costs and offering exceptional value to users.
With a current production capacity of 200 units per month, Dodai aims to scale up significantly, targeting a monthly output of 1,500 units to meet increasing demand.
The company’s motorcycles, priced at 150,000 Ethiopian birr (US$1,170), are made more accessible through a partnership with VisionFund, Ethiopia’s microfinance institution, offering riders affordable payment plans starting at just 8,000 birr (US$62.50) monthly.
Ethiopia’s potential for sustainable transportation has been a driving force for Dodai. Sasaki, leveraging his experience in Japan’s renewable energy and e-mobility sectors, identified Ethiopia’s unique opportunities, including a population exceeding 120 million, abundant renewable energy resources, and rapidly growing urban centers. These factors position Ethiopia as a prime market for e-mobility solutions.
Dodai’s ambitious plans extend beyond vehicle manufacturing. In collaboration with the Ethiopian government, the company aims to establish 300 battery-swapping stations over the next three years.
This infrastructure will allow riders to exchange depleted batteries for fully charged ones, minimizing downtime and enhancing the convenience of electric mobility.
The Ethiopian electric vehicle market is poised for rapid growth, with over 100,000 EVs currently in operation and projections indicating a fourfold increase by 2032.
As an early market entrant, Dodai is well-positioned to capitalize on this growth and contribute to Ethiopia’s broader efforts to reduce carbon emissions and alleviate urban congestion.
The company’s innovations align with global calls for sustainable urban transportation solutions, addressing pressing environmental and mobility challenges in Africa’s expanding cities.
Dodai’s forward-thinking approach blends technological innovation with practical solutions to redefine transportation in Ethiopia.
As the country embraces electric mobility, the startup’s efforts exemplify how local innovation can drive sustainable development and create new opportunities in emerging markets.